A/N: I figured it was about time I did one of these. The sad part is this plot is soooooooooooooo over-used and clichéd. D: But I figure, what the heck? No harm in doing it again. It's just like the Caramelldansen fad! xD By the way, Cira is pronounce 'seera', not 'kira'. I think all of you know how to pronounce Nina. xD
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Chapter 1
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St. Ivan's Orphanage for Girls
Parris France
1987
My eyes skimmed down the tiny print on the large page of the book that had recently grabbed my attention in the St. Ivan's library. The snow outside had left it too cold to go out and play, even though most of the children had insisted that it wasn't. Not being the one to complain, I simply reached for the book, a higher-leveled one for my young age, and sat in front of the fire.
The other children in the orphanage on the other hand, were wild and feisty. I knew the Sisters shouldn't have given them those sweets earlier. At least I could hold down my sugar rush, as much as I hated too, although being one of the older children in the orphanage, I had to.
I sighed, putting the bookmark in its place and slamming the book shut. It was pointless; I was never going to get any reading done with all of this noise. Getting up from the velvet carpet I had been laying on, I walked into the foyer and up the stairs, my room being on the second floor. Two of the older boys ran past, trying to stab each other with their wooden swords, almost causing me to fall, although I was able to catch myself on the railing at the last minute.
Yep, giving them chocolate had definitely been a bad idea.
"Wina! Wina!" I small voice drifted up to my ears. Dashing up the stairs was what could have been a miniature me. Her pure-blonde locks were pulled back into loose pigtails, her chubby little three year legs carrying her as fast as she could go. Smiling a little, I bent down, giving her a hug. Knowing what she wanted, I turned around and let little Cira climb up on my 7 year old shoulders. Riding piggy-back, she clung to me like always, although I had always assured her that I wouldn't drop her.
"Cira, it's Nina. Can you say 'nnn'?" I asked my little sister, pronouncing the sound N makes.
"Nnnnnn." she replied, smiling.
"Now say 'Nina'."
"Wina!" I sighed, this was harder than I thought. I had been trying to get her to say my name right for the longest time, and she still didn't get it.
Reaching the top of the stairs, she started to squirm and I let her down, knowing that she wanted to go and play with her friends. Looking back at me, I smiled at her, but as soon as she rounded the corner, I frowned, the sad expression back on my face.
Why was she so… damn social? Why couldn't I be like that!? Why was I always... so alone?
Looking down, I stepped down the carpeted hallway until I reached the door leading to mine and Cira's room. Entering my room, I let tears fall. I went over to the window ledge and sat down, looking at the pure white snow fall.
It was strange; the day had been completely calm, save the hyper children inside of the orphanage. I could sense it, something was off, and I knew something was going to happen today. I had heard the Sisters whispering about something, and they rarely ever kept anything a secret from us unless it was really important. They had also stared at me whenever I walked pass.
Looking down at the roadway, I saw its pure, clean, and smooth blanket of snow ruined, ruts being made in it by a long black car pulling up to the driveway and stopping in front. An older man and a young black-haired boy stepped out into the white lawn, leaving tracks as the walked up to the front door.
I saw the younger boy look up at the building, his eyes catching sight of me. Feeling some blood rush to my face, I quickly jumped away from the window in surprise, plopping on my bed. Why in the world had that happened? I had never really blushed before, especially to a boy… but then again, it was a new boy, and I had never seen him before so…
I sat for a minute, not really thinking. Finally, I got up and walked back over to my door. Opening it, I saw Cira running back up the hall towards me. "Wina! Wina!" Did you see the pepow outside?" she asked.
"Yes Cira, I did. Come on; let's go take a look at them." I replied, taking her pudgy little hand and going back down the spiral staircase. Reaching the bottom, we saw the sisters standing in the foyer, awaiting the visitors. We moved to the doorway which lead into the main room, where children were still playing. The two of hid partially behind the wall, still peeking our heads out to take a look at the newcomers.
The large doors opened, letting a chilled breeze fill the foyer, a small amount being blown in. The man stepped in, blacked haired boy in tow. Judging by his looks and how tall he was, the man looked to be somewhere in the ages between 40 and 50, the boy somewhere around my own age.
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L's P.O.V
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Looking around, I caught sight of the blond girl again, her large cerulean eyes looking right back at me. After a few seconds, she hid back behind the wall, as well as a younger girl.
'Interesting….'
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Nina's P.O.V
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I leaned back against the wall, eyes closed. Well that had been… different. Why did that boy keep staring at me? All in all, it was starting to weird me out.
I heard low talking from the Sisters, the replying simply in turn. Soon I heard the Sisters call for me to come to the foyer. Doing so, I kept Cira's small hand in my own. The air was still chilled from when the door opened; giving my exposed arms goose bumps. The baggy flannel pajama pants I wore trailed the floor as I walked, settling around my feet when I stopped.
The Head Sister stepped forward, looking at my sister and I. "Nina, we have looked very closely at how you have mentally progressed during your time at St. Ivan's. This man, Quilish Wammy, would like to put you in his orphanage for the mentally gifted."
Wammy stepped forward, the boy in front of him. "And this is Lawliet, one of the children already residing in the Wammy House." The small boy pulled down his scarf, revealing his face. I smiled and waved at him, not really knowing what to do. Mr. Wammy spoke again. "The Wammy House is only for the most gifted minds. I assure you, you would be satisfied with living there."
"If I go, does that mean I'll have more time to read? A-and more time for my music!?"
"Of course."
My mind was made up in a heartbeat. "Come on Cira, I'll help you get packed." I stated, taking my sister by the hand and starting to pull her towards the stairs.
"Wait Nina." I heard one of the Sister's say in a sad voice. "The invitation was only for you, not for Cira as well."
I was suddenly serious, crouching down and hugging Cira, like a protective mother "I'm not going anywhere without my sister. She's too young to not be with me! I'm the only family she has left!" Hearing my words, she clutched to the front of my shirt, and I could tell she didn't want to be separated from me.
"Now now Sister Mary, it's alright for little Cira to come too. There's no need to be so negative about it." said Quilish.
"Right! No one takes my sister from me!" With that, I marched up the stairs, Cira in tow behind me.